The document is a step-by-step tutorial on woodturning, emphasizing safety and proper technique. Key steps include measuring and cutting wood, setting up the lathe, protecting oneself, roughing the surface to size, and creating details. The tutorial also highlights the importance of tool control, advanced techniques, and finishing processes like sanding.

1. Learning the
Basics of
Woodturning
a step-by-step tutorial on the proper way
to safely turn a pieces of wood into a
decorative object
for more information visit: www.woodturner.org

2. Measure
• Reference your scaled drawing
and mark the rough
measurements for your turning.
• Make sure that these are not the
final measurements as you need
tolerance built in so you can turn
the wood down to its final size.
• Remember to always measure
twice and cut once
• This is the most important step!

3. Rough Cutting
• Using a compound miter saw cut
the wood to size using the
measurements that you marked
in the previous step.
• You can always cut it smaller but
it is near impossible to add the
material back on once cut.
• Keep your fingers out of the
blade path while cutting.
• Reference your safety manual
before using this tool to ensure
you are using it properly.

4. Setting Up the
Tool Rest
• After placing your piece of wood
in the chuck of the lathe adjust
the tool rest so that it is
approximately ½ inch away from
the wood.
• While turning you may need to
adjust the tool rest as you turn
material off.
• The wood should not touch the
tool rest.

5. Protect Yourself
• Before turning on the machine
read the safety manual of the
wood lathe to familiarize
yourself with its operation.
• Wear safety glasses to protect
your eyes from wood chips.
• Wear a overcoat to protect your
clothing
• If necessary wear ear protection.
• Abide by all safety protocol
when using this machine.

6. Roughing the
Surface to Size
• Turn on the machine and start it
at a slow speed.
• Using a lathe tool placed on the
tool rest slowly remove material
until the wood is cylindrical.
• Be sure to adjust the tool rest as
you remove material so it stays
within the tolerance mentioned
in the prior step
• This is the most dangerous step;
the wood can explode and injure
the operator.

7. Creating Detail
• Using a variety of lathe tools you
can create different shapes and
details to accent your turning.
• Be sure to have the dust collection
system on while doing this step so
you can visually see your turning.
• Reference your scaled drawing for
spacing and depths while creating
these features.
• Once you remove material you
cannot add it back on to your
turning.

8. Tool Control
• After getting comfortable using
the wood lathe you can
experiment with advanced tool
control.
• A popular technique is turning a
ring off of the original material
so that the two pieces are
completely independent.
• Do not be afraid to experiment.
• Advanced tool control is
dangerous because the wood can
explode while turning.

9. Finish Sanding
• Once complete on the lathe, take
the turning off and finish sand.
• Using a belt sander finish the top
and bottom where the turning
was attached to the lathe.
• Before using a chemical
finishing product use a fine grit
sandpaper.
• While sanding, always start with
a course grit and work your way
to a finer grit.